Young children can be physically aggressive, owing to a combination of instinct, temperament, cultural and social influences, and (sometimes) not getting what they want. But, by the time most kids reach preschool age, they have learned to control their aggression with coping skills and relational techniques. However, children who do not learn to regulate aggressive behavior are at risk for physical and mental health issues, as well as serious patterns of aggression and violence, as adults. A new study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, shows that the more aggressive a young child is the more likely he or she is to use health care services as an adult.

The 15-year longitudinal cohort study examined nearly 4000 children who were in grades 1, 4, and 7 in the mid-1980s. Children were ranked by their peers on three attributes: aggression, withdrawal, and likeability. Researchers used Canadian databases to assess health care use when the subjects were, on average, 39 years old. They adjusted their results for socioeconomic status of the children in 1986 and educational level.

Overall, results indicate that each standard deviation in peer-rated childhood aggression accounted for an 8% increase in overall medical visits during the follow-up period. Additionally, aggressive children showed an 11% increase in medical visits for injuries, a 44% increase for lifestyle-related illnesses, which included obesity, type 2 diabetes, ulcers, alcohol dependence, and drug use, a 6% increase in visits to specialists, a 24% increase in visits to dentists, a 12% increase in visits to emergency rooms, and an 11% increase in hospital admissions. Childhood aggression was not associated with an increase in infections.

Children who were judged to be more socially withdrawn than their peers had a 15% increase in visits to dentists. Alternatively, likeable children had a 4% decrease in overall health care use, a 9% decrease in medical visits due to injuries, and an 11% decrease in visits to dentists.

It is difficult to clarify precisely what causes aggression, but associations have been identified between childhood aggression and poor peer relationships, having young siblings, mothers with antisocial behavior, young mothers, families with low income, mothers who smoked during pregnancy, mothers who exhibit coercive parenting behavior, and family dysfunction. Still, no matter the cause, aggressive children can grow into aggressive adults. And, aggressive adults can impose a burden on public health services owing to increased physical, mental, and emotional violence toward victims, increased violent crimes, and increased spouse and child abuse. And, perpetrators themselves are at increased risk for depression, suicide, alcohol and drug use, and injuries.

The authors do not go so far as to calculate the total monetary costs associated with health care use within this cohort, but the implication is that the increased use of health care imposes a significant economic burden on public health services. They claim that decreasing the aggression will lead to decreased expenditures and overall health care cost savings. Identifying problematic and aggressive childhood behavior, and teaching corrective or preventive strategies, might mitigate long-term health risks and economic burdens to the children themselves and the public at large.

Yamasaki K, & Nishida N (2009). The relationship between three types of aggression and peer relations in elementary school children. International journal of psychology : Journal international de psychologie, 44 (3), 179-86 PMID: 22029493

Early intense aggression is sometimes referred to as behavioral dyscontrol. These youngsters are then more likely to be diagnosed w/ “disruptive behavior disorders”, such as ADHD, oppisitional defiant disorder, & conduct disorder. An in some, all 3 diagnoses are established. With early clinical intervention, such as functional family therapy & multi-systemic family therapy, + results are often obtained. Later intervention makes little difference, & the clinical trajectory is often quite poor.

In extreme cases, powerful neuroleptics are prescribed w/ minimal impact. These youngsters are more likely to abuse multiple pschoactive agents in later adolecence & well into adulthood.

And BTW there are at least 6 subtypes of aggression in the human species, some of which are quite adaptive to survival.

Rich

ChristianK

What’s meant with a dentist visit? Are those people who visit the dentist frequently going their for their bianually check up for to they go there because they have problems with their teeth?

Jennifer Gibson, PharmD, is a practicing clinical pharmacist and medical writer/editor with experience in researching and preparing scientific publications, developing public relations materials, creating educational resources and presentations, and editing technical manuscripts. She is the owner of Excalibur Scientific, LLC.

About Us

Founded in 2005 by Dr. Shaheen Lakhan, Brain Blogger is an official undertaking of the Global Neuroscience Initiative Foundation (GNIF) — an international charity for the advancement of neurological and mental health patient welfare, education, and research. It is one of the most effective mediums for the GNIF to raise awareness of neuro-related topics.